Erector Spinae Plane Block Combined with Serratus Anterior Plane Block Versus Thoracic Paravertebral Block for Postoperative Analgesia and Recovery After Thoracoscopic Surgery:A Randomized Controlled Non-inferiority Clinical Trial

Objective This study aimed to compare the postoperative analgesia and recovery of ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block combined with serratus anterior plane block(ESPB combined with SAPB)versus thoracic paravertebral block(PVB)after thoracoscopic surgery.Methods Ninety-two patients who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery(VATS)were randomly divided into group S(n=46)and group P(n=46).After anesthesia induction,the same anesthesiologist performed ultrasound-guided ESPB at T5 and T7 levels combined with SAPB at the level of the fifth rib in the midaxillary line in group S and ultrasound-guided PVB at T5 and T7 levels in group P.Patients in both groups were given 40 mL of 0.4%ropivacaine.Eighty-six patients completed the study(group S,n=44;group P,n=42).The morphine consumption,visual analogue scale(VAS)scores at rest and coughing,and frequency of remedial analgesia were recorded at 1,2,4,8,and 24 h postoperatively.Pulmonary function parameters were recorded at 1,4,and 24 h postoperatively,and the quality of recovery(QoR)-15 score at 24 h postoperatively.The adverse effects,duration of chest tube drainage and length of stay were also recorded.Results The morphine consumption at postoperative 4 and 8 h and the incidence of ipsilateral shoulder pain(ISP)were significantly lower in group S than in group P.The QoR-15 questionnaire score at postoperative 24 h was significantly lower in group P than in group S(P<0.05).The morphine consumption was lower at 24 h postoperatively in group S than in group P,with no significant difference found yet.The morphine consumption at other observed times,VAS scores,pulmonary function parameters,frequency of remedial analgesia,duration of chest tube drainage,length of stay,and incidence of other adverse events were comparable between group S and group P.Conclusion Ultrasound-guided ESPB combined with SAPB is non-inferior to PVB in terms of morphine consumption at postoperative 24 h and postoperative recovery.But,this approach can significantly reduce morphine consumption in the early postoperative period(0–8 h)after thoracoscopy with lower incidence of ISP.It is a simpler and safer operation.

Liposomal Bupivacaine in Erector Spinae Plane Block and Interscalene Block for Scapular and Proximal Humerus Resections

Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is a novel fascial plane block that was first described in 2016. It is considered an alternative for brachial plexus blocks in shoulder surgeries as the erector spinae muscle extends to the cervical level. Herein, we present a successful multilevel ESPB plus an interscalene block using liposomal bupivacaine in a 45-year-old female patient with metastatic sarcoma who presented for scapula and proximal humerus resection. The post-operative course was smooth, and the patient was discharged home on post-operative day 2 with minimal narcotic requirements.

Erector spinae plane block at lower thoracic level for analgesia in lumbar spine surgery: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND Patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery usually suffer severe pain in the postoperative period.The erector spinae plane block(ESPB),first published in 2016,can anesthetize the ventral and dorsal rami of thoracic nerves and produce an extensive multi-dermatomal sensory block.AIM To assess whether bilateral ultrasound-guided ESPB at a lower thoracic level could improve pain control and quality of recovery in patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery.METHODS A total of 60 patients aged 18-80 years scheduled to undergo lumbar spine surgery with general anesthesia were randomly assigned to two groups:ESPB group(preoperative bilateral ultrasound-guided ESPB at T10 vertebral level)and control group(no preoperative ESPB).Both groups received standard general anesthesia.The main indicator was the duration to the first patient controlled intravenous analgesia(PCIA)bolus.RESULTS In the ESPB group,the duration to the first PCIA bolus was significantly longer than that in the control group(h)[8.0(4.5,17.0)vs 1.0(0.5,6),P<0.01],and resting and coughing numerical rating scale(NRS)scores at 48 h post operation were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding resting and coughing NRS scores at 24 h post operation.Sufentanil consumption during the operation was significantly lower in the ESPB group than in the control group(P<0.01),while there was no significant difference between the two groups regarding morphine consumption at 24 or 48 h post operation.In the ESPB group,Modified Observer’s Assessment of Alertness/Sedation score within 20 min after extubation was higher and duration in the post-anesthesia care unit was shorter than those in the control group(P<0.01).CONCLUSION In patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery,ultrasound-guided ESPB at a lower thoracic level improves the analgesic effect,reduces opioid consumption,and improves postoperative recovery.

Ultrasound Guided Erector Spinae Block with Costotransverse Ligament Puncture Is More Effective than Erector Spinae Block Alone;Eight Cases for Oncologic Breast Surgery;A Brief Technical Report

Objectives: Due to the complex breast innervation, postoperative analgesia after breast surgery is a challenge for the anesthesiologists. The erector spinae plane block (ESP) is a newly defined promising technique for this purpose. Since the description by Forero, ultrasound-guided erector spinae block (ESP) has performed for several surgeries for postoperative analgesia. Many regional methods pectoral nerve block (PECs), serratus plane block (SPB), were described in the literature for maintaining postoperative analgesia. Among all these regional anesthesia techniques, paravertebral block (PVB) is the most studied and found to be a valid regional technique for this purpose. Due to its anatomic proximity to the pleura and central neuraxial system, it’s also one of the most challenging techniques. Materials and Methods: Patients aged between 37 and 47 years, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I-II and scheduled for elective unilateral modified radical mastectomy (MRM) surgery without axillary lymph node dissection were enrolled to this case series. In this report, we describe a novel combination of ESP and simplified PVB block and its successful application in 8 cases of oncologic breast surgery. In our clinic, ESP block is performed for all oncological breast cases. Eight cases of MRM without axillary dissection were randomly selected by the same anesthesiologist (AS). 15 mL 0.25% bupivacaine was administered between the erector spinae muscles and the transverse process at the level of the 4th thoracal vertebra with the caudo-cranial approach. Additionally, the needle tip was directed to T4 superior costotransverse ligament, and the ligament was perforated at the top point where it attaches to the T4 transverse process. Results: The ESP block is used for a local anesthetic depot, as a safe and straightforward technique and costotransverse ligament puncture facilitates diffusion and ensures local anesthetic passage to the paravertebral area for thoracic postsurgical analgesia. Using lower doses, comparing this combination with all studies with ESP, it appears that there are a better Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) scores in the first postoperative hours. NPRS scores at the 12th and 24th hours appear to be similar to those performed in ESP without costotransverse ligament puncture. Conclusion: We submit the first description of a novel combination of ESP block and simplified paravertebral block (PVB) and its successful application in 8 cases of oncologic breast surgery.

Ultrasound-Guided Erector Spinae Plane Block for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Surgery

Background: In this retrospective observational study, we evaluated patients who underwent elective lumbar stenosis surgery between February 1, 2019, and April 1, 2019. Patients who underwent surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis under general anesthesia alone were compared with those who underwent general anesthesia combined with erector spinae plane block. Aims: We aimed to retrospectively evaluate whether erector spinae plane block reduced opioid consumption following surgery for spinal stenosis. Study Design: A retrospective observational study. Methods: We collected data on the pain scores, time for the first requirement for patient-controlled analgesia with tramadol, the cumulative patient-controlled analgesia dose, requirement for rescue analgesia, time to first stand up postoperatively and the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting. Results: Sixty patients were included in the study. The numerical rating scale’s pain scores were significantly lower in the erector spinae plane group at 1, 2, 4, 6, 12 and 24 hours than in the general anesthesia group. The cumulative dose of patient-controlled analgesia with tramadol was higher in the general anesthesia group than in the ESP group [212.0 (6.6) mg, vs. 107.3 (36.9 mg), (p <0.001)]. The time to first stand up after surgery was significantly longer in the general anesthesia group (p = 0.011). Conclusion: ESP block appear to be an effective method to relieve pain after lumbar surgery.

Quantification Threshold Pixel Technique of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Paraspinal Muscles Atrophy among Discopathy Patients

Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between lumbosacral discopathy status and paraspinal atrophic changes (Cross-sectional area (CSA) and fatty infiltration (FI)) among different age groups. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 200 patients with confirmed discopathy who were examined by lumbosacral Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) at the two main governmental hospitals in Gaza Strip. Using ImageJ software and quantification threshold technique, we measured the CSA and FI of paraspinal muscles {multifidus (MF) & erector spinae (ES)}. The interpretation of MRI images was performed by two radiologists with a good inter-observer agreement between the radiological discopathy findings. Results: The highest percentage and severity of discopathy were noticed at the level of L4/5 (89.5%), followed by L5/S1 (14.5%). The FI is increased towards lower levels of L3/4 to L5/S1. No correlation was found between discopathy level, the severity of discopathy, and CSA of MF & ES muscles. In contrast, a correlation was observed between FI of MF & ES muscles, discopathy level, and severity. Also, the results illustrated no significant relation was observed between CSA of MF & ES muscles and age groups (P > 0.05), while a significant correlation was reported between FI and age groups (P Conclusion: The MRI quantification threshold pixel technique for paraspinal muscles reflected the atrophic changes like CSA and FI in discopathy patients.